Indians minor-league pitcher might need surgery in U.S.

Andy Call

Tuesday

Nov 27, 2007 at 12:01 AMNov 27, 2007 at 10:50 PM

Indians minor-league pitcher Juan Lara remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday night with head and neck injuries suffered in an accident over the weekend in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.

Indians minor-league pitcher Juan Lara remained hospitalized in critical condition Monday night with head and neck injuries suffered in an accident over the weekend.

Indians director of minor-league operations Lino Diaz spoke to Lara’s brother, Jose, on Monday. Diaz was told doctors had been encouraged because the bleeding in Juan Lara’s brain had decreased, but the pitcher still needs a ventilator to sustain his breathing.

Lara’s winter league team reported that Lara has a perforated lung and a blood clot resulting from the head injuries.

Indians spokesman Bart Swain confirmed that Lara may need to be transported to the United States for surgery.

The 26-year-old left-hander was stopped at an intersection in San Pedro de Macoris after a game Saturday night when his sports utility vehicle was struck by a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver of the motorcycle and his passenger were killed on impact.

Lara, who was driving the SUV, was pinned inside the vehicle. His girlfriend, seated on the passenger’s side, is also hospitalized. Her injuries are not believed to be as severe.

Swain said Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona, also a native of the Dominican, reported the bad news to the team.

Lara made one appearance for Cleveland last season, allowing two runs in 1 1/3 innings to the Angels. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Buffalo, where he was 4-3 with a 3.88 ERA and two saves in 52 appearances. Lara struck out 50 in 58 innings.

Lara had demonstrated some promise in 2006, when he was called up in September and pitched in nine games for the Indians (0-0, 1.80 ERA) after beginning the season at Double-A Akron. He was originally signed in 1999.

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